Contrary to Public Opinion, the World is Getting Better

Many people depend on the media for education.  This is unfortunate.  The nature of the media is to stun us, not educate us.  Profit comes from drama.  The lead story is often the most shocking news that can be found in the moment.  There’s a saying in the media world: “Good news is no news.”

If we use the media for our education, we could come away feeling the world is getting worse, not better.  However, the opposite it true. *

Here’s a sampling of how things have improved since ‘the good old days’.  Wouldn’t you love to hear news stories about these realities?

In 1800, there were 193 places in the world where slavery was legal.  Now there are only 3.

In 1979, there were 636,000 tons of oil spilled from tanker ships.  Last year, only 6,000.

HIV infections have been cut by more than ½ since 1996.

In 1900, 43% of children born died before their 5^th birthday.  Now, only 4% do.

In 1954, nearly 1/3 of the world’s children age 5-15 worked full time to help support the family.  Now, less than 1 in 10 do.  (Time to go to school! )

Nuclear weapons around the world have been reduced by 74% since 1986.

Ozone depleting substances released into the atmosphere have been reduced by 98% since 1970.

Grain production has tripled since 1961.

There are 60% fewer people on the planet that go to bed hungry at night than in 1970.

Despite what’s happening in the United States, the number of acres of land worldwide that is now protected by National Parks or reserves has doubled since in 1985.

193 countries now allow women to vote, compared to 1 in 1893.

Literacy has increased worldwide from 20% in 1900 to 86% now.

90% of girls around the globe now attend primary school compared to 65% in 1970.

85% of the world now has electricity, and 88% now drink water protected from contamination.

Violent crime in the US has decreased 34% since 1990.

This is not to say there isn’t more to do. (Nearly 1 billion people still do not have clean drinking water.) We must always keep working on improving the world.  But look how far we’ve come!

* These figures are borrowed from the Swedish Gapminder Foundation, dedicated to finding truth independent of the media.